Retired National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Kobe Bryant’s endorsement of Ele.me, a Chinese online food ordering and delivery app, was announced by the company on July 12.
A video advertisement featuring Kobe playing ping-pong has gone viral on China’s social media.
It is not the first time Chinese companies have employed foreign sports stars to promote their brands. Here is a list of foreign sports stars endorsing Chinese brands.
Kobe Bryant & Ele.me
Time: July 12, 2016
Fee: Unknown
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| Ele.me’s poster featuring Kobe (left) and Chinese comedian Wang Zulan advertises the online food ordering and delivery company’s slogan of "arrive on time, get rebate if delayed". (Photo provided to China Daily) |
Cristiano Ronaldo & Nubia
Time: June 7, 2016
Fee: Approximately 4 million euros annually (US$4.4 million)
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| Real Madrid’s Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo holds the Nubia Z11, a flagship handset launched by Nubia Technology Ltd, ZTE Corp's upmarket smartphone brand, on June 28, 2016, on an advertising poster. (Photo/nubia.com) |
